Quotes about Introspection
It stares you in the face. No role is so well suited to philosophy as the one you happen to be in right now.
— Marcus Aurelius
How ridiculous not to flee from one's own wickedness, which is possible, yet endeavour to flee from another's, which is not.
— Marcus Aurelius
He that sinneth, sinneth unto himself. He that is unjust, hurts himself, in that he makes himself worse than he was before. Not he only that committeth, but he also that omitteth something, is oftentimes unjust.
— Marcus Aurelius
things you think about determine the quality of your mind. Your soul takes on the color of your thoughts.
— Marcus Aurelius
Everything has come into being for a purpose - a horse, say, a vine. Does this surprise you? Even the sun will say, 'I came into being for a purpose': likewise the other gods. For what purpose, then, were you created? For your pleasure? Just see whether this idea can be entertained.
— Marcus Aurelius
Finally, therefore, remember your retreat into this little domain which is yourself, and above all be not disturbed nor on the rack, but be free and look at things as a man, a human being, a citizen, a creature that must die.
— Marcus Aurelius
Now forget what they think of you. Be satisfied if you can live the rest of your life, however short, as your nature demands. Focus on that, and don't let anything distract you. You've wandered all over and finally realized that you never found what you were after: how to live. Not in syllogisms, not in money, or fame, or self-indulgence. Nowhere.
— Marcus Aurelius
Continually, and, if possible, in the case of every mental image, consider its nature, realize its emotional content, and judge it rationally.
— Marcus Aurelius
My mind. What is it? What am I making of it? What am I using it for? Is it empty of thought? Isolated and torn loose from those around it? Melted into flesh and blended with it, so that it shares its urges?
— Marcus Aurelius
Nowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul
— Marcus Aurelius
Do, soul, do; abuse and contemn thyself; yet a while and the time for thee to respect thyself, will be at an end. Every man's happiness depends from himself, but behold thy life is almost at an end, whiles affording thyself no respect, thou dost make thy happiness to consist in the souls, and conceits of other men.
— Marcus Aurelius
Do, soul, do; abuse and contemn thyself; yet a while and the time for thee to respect thyself, will be at an end. Every man's happiness depends from himself, but behold thy life is almost at an end, whiles affording thyself no respect, thou dost make thy happiness to consist in the souls, and conceits of other men.
— Marcus Aurelius